Don’t Delay Marriage in NJ, Gay Rights Group Say

Plaintiffs asking a judge to find that New Jersey must allow same-sex couples to marry are criticizing the state's opposition.

In a reply brief filed Friday, the six couples say the state's argument that it's the federal government that is denying them marriage rights rather than the state is "contrary to established law."

The couples also say a judge should allow marriage soon because they're being hurt by the state's ban now that they could receive federal benefits if their marriage were recognized by the state.

Arguments on the couples' request are scheduled for Thursday.

The couples say that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June invalidating parts of a federal ban on gay marriage makes the case in New Jersey more urgent.

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